News

Swedish Farmers Rally Ahead of "Crucial Autumn"

25 September 2015

SWEDEN – A petition comprising over 167,000 signatures sent to the Swedish agricultural minister has built momentum for an industry campaigning for a sustainable dairy farming future, claims a producer group.

The “petition for milk”, started 19 August, has been met with strong public support, according to the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF).

The federations says nine out of ten consumers want Swedish milk.

More than 600 farmers descended on Stockholm on Monday to deliver the petition to Rural Affairs minister Sven-Erik Bucht.

Speaking on Monday, LRF chairman Helena Jonsson said: “Its amazing that so many farmers went to Stockholm today. Through the petition, we show the politicians that the Swedish dairy farmers need action and demand it for a sustainable Sweden.”

She said government measures to support the dairy sector, to be presented next spring, were “not enough”.

Palle Borgstrom, dairy spokeperson said: “The autumn will be crucial to the extent that milk production will remain in Sweden.

“We are doing everything we can, but politicians must put all the effort into finding constructive solutions that can seriously improve dairy farmer potential to drive competitive enterprises.”